The Blog

Governor Chris Gregoire

11/20/08

Like the rest of the country — indeed the world — we are in the midst of an economic slowdown. Just like Washington families, government will have to sacrifice and tighten its belt. While we are forced to make tough decisions, this is our time to rethink the role of state government.

I’ve already ordered several money-saving actions to reduce our projected budget deficit. I’ve ordered across-the-board cuts. I’ve directed agencies to freeze hiring and save energy. And I’ve allowed selected state agencies to try a four-day workweek.

But matters will get worse before they get better. We are developing additional budget-saving ideas and I ask for your help.

I would like to hear from you. What government programs should we sacrifice without harming essential services? What ways we can reform state government to provide services more efficiently and cost-effectively? I also ask for your ideas on what government functions might be better handled in the private or nonprofit sectors.

Filling the budget gap will take all of us, and with innovation and imagination, we can come out ahead.

To submit your ideas, visit www.governor.wa.gov/budget.asp. Your ideas will be shared with my budget writers as we develop the 2009–11 budgets.

Together, we will keep Washington working.